Abstract

Buddhism is about 2500 years old, making it the oldest great mission religion (with Christianity and Islam later following suit). It was ultimately a major religion, or the dominant prestige religion, in nearly all pre-modern Asian cultures. To achieve this status, Buddhism penetrated an astonishing range of diverse cultures, comprising about two thirds of humanity and the lion’s share of Eurasia (the "old", "civilised" world).

In most of these cultures, Buddhism arguably served as the primary ideological prop to kingship and the centralised state; it also had a far-reaching impact on thought, art, literature, lifeways, worldviews, economy, and social structures. Unsurprisingly then, Buddhism is a major factor in world history, and this lecture will survey several dimensions of its world-historical importance.

Biography

More than 25 years ago, Michael Radich found himself travelling across Asia, encountering chanting monks, gigantic Buddha sculptures, and yogis. These experiences launched him on a lifetime of research into Asian religions. Michael is a senior lecturer in Religious Studies at Victoria University.

Registration will be taken from 5.30pm with the lecture at 6pm. For more information, see the Buddhism in World History flyer (PDF, 329 KB) and RSVP to info-auckland@vuw.ac.nz.